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Introduction
What is chemistry? At its essence chemistry is the study of matter. Chemistry tries to understand what that
matter can do, what is its composition and what are the underlying principles that govern the behavior of that
matter. Chemistry is often considered the central science because matter is so fundamental to all science.
Traditionally, chemistry has been organized into the areas of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry,
biochemistry, analytical chemistry and physical chemistry. These fields all touch upon other disciplines such
as physics, biology, medicine, geosciences and engineering. Much of the current research in chemistry is
done at the interface between chemistry and these fields. The chemistry faculty at Vanderbilt is actively
involved with this interdisciplinary research and hold appointments in the Institute for Chemical Biology, the
Vanderbilt Institute for Biomedical Research and Education, and the Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscience and
Engineering. A list of the chemistry department faculty, their research interests and the interdisciplinary
institutes can be found on the chemistry departments home page.
Concentration in chemistry
Required Course(s)
Chem 102AB & 104AB or AP credit
Chem 220AB (or 218AB) & 219AB
Chem 210 & 212A
Chem 230 or 231
Chem 236
BSCI 220
Chem 203
*Two in-depth chemistry courses
Chem 295a-b
* In-depth chemistry courses include all 200-level chemistry courses not explicitly required, except for Chem
250 and 292a-292b-292c. Other in-depth chemistry courses are Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 223
and 225, and Earth and Environmental Sciences 260, and any 300-level chemistry lecture courses.
Chem 102b/104b
Math 155b
*BSCI 110b/111b
Visions
Fresh Seminar
Semester Hours
Starting in 218a
Year 1
Fall
Chem 218a/219a
Math 155a
Engl 1xxW
*BSCI 110a/111a
Visions
Semester Hours
Spring
Chem 218b/219b
Math 155b
*BSCI 110b/111b
Visions
Fresh Seminar
Semester Hours
Year 2
Chem 219a/220a
Math 175
Langauge 102
*Physics 116a/118a
Elective (or AXLE)
4
4
3
4
0
15
4
3
3
4
3
17
4
4
4
0
3
Chem 219b/220b
Elective (or AXLE)
*Physics 116b/118b
Chem 210/212a
15
4
3
4
4
15
Year 2
AXLE
Math 175
Langauge 102
*Physics 116a/118a
Elective
4
4
3
4
0
15
3
3
3
4
3
16
4
4
4
0
3
Chem 210/212a
AXLE
*Physics 116b/118b
Elective
15
4
3
4
3
14
* BSCI and PHYS courses can be moved back a year if desired. Depending on your area of interest, you may not need BSCI
110B/111B
Fall
Spring
Year 3
Chem In-depth or
Chem 230
Elective (or AXLE)
BSCI 220
Elective (or AXLE)
Elective
Chem In-Depth or
Chem 231
Elective (or AXLE)
Elective
Elective
Chem 236
Chem In-depth
Year 4
3
3
3
3
3
Chem 203
Capstone Lab 1
Elective (or AXLE)
Elective
Chem In-Depth
3
2
3
3
3
15
14
3
3
3
3
1
3
16
3
2
3
3
3
Capstone Lab 2
Chem In-Depth
Elective (or AXLE)
Elective
14
Undergraduate research
Undergraduate research is an excellent way to experience modern, current chemistry by working in one of
the research labs under the supervision of a faculty member. You will put your coursework into practice as
well as learn many advanced chemistry topics. There are two options for research: 1) you can get credit for
chemistry research by registering for Chem 282 (regular research) or Chem 292ABC (honors research) or 2)
you can be paid to do research (this is most common during the summer).
To find out about the types of research in the chemistry department, visit the chemistry department home
page and view the list of faculty and their research projects. Contact those faculty members whose research
interests match your interests to see if there are any available undergraduate research positions.
Do not wait until the semester has started to arrange a research position! Research space is often limited, so
contact faculty in advance of the start of a semester to find out about openings. You will need to be officially
registered for research by the end of the change period. In order to register for undergraduate research you
must find a faculty research mentor with an appointment in the chemistry department. Research with faculty
members in departments other than chemistry (like the VU medical center) will generally not qualify for Chem
282 or 292 research credit. Once you have found a research mentor obtain a research contract form from
the research course instructor to be filled out by you and your research supervisor. Once the research
course instructor has approved the research contract you should contact the Dir. of Undergraduate Studies
(Dr. Adam List) so that you can be officially registered for undergraduate research.
Summer research
Summer research opportunities, while generally not receiving course credit, can be very valuable to your
development as a chemist. The summer allows for a much greater time commitment on the part of students,
providing a more substantial and deeper exposure to chemistry research. There exist several fellowship
opportunities on campus for chemistry majors. The Stephen Harris Cook Memorial Fellowship is open to
juniors involved in undergraduate research who plan to continue the research in the fall semester of their
senior year. The Fellowship provides a stipend for 10 weeks of research during the summer. The Vanderbilt